Zach Duke was released by the Astros after going 0-3 with an 11.30 ERA this spring.

VIERA, Fla. — Seeking pitching depth to stash away at Class AAA Syracuse, the Nationals have signed left-hander Zach Duke to a minor-league contract, the club announced this afternoon.

The Nationals also optioned reliever Ryan Perry to Syracuse following today's 6-3 victory over the Braves and announced outfielder Jason Michaels has been released.

Duke, 28, was released by the Astros on Tuesday, two days after he was shelled for 10 runs in 3 1/3 innings. Expected to compete for a spot in Houston's Opening Day rotation, the left-hander wound up 0-3 with an 11.30 ERA.

Duke does have considerable big-league experience, owner of a 48-74 record and 4.56 ERA in 181 career games with the Pirates and Diamondbacks. He's expected to join the rotation at Syracuse and could be called upon if the Nationals need an experienced starter at someRead more »

I hope he sticks in AAA for awhile, by the way everyone talks they could sure use him! I like the signing personally, doesn't really cost us anything and if things go severely wrong this season he could pitch in DC.

These types of signings (vets assigned to AAA to serve as emergency fill-ins) serve as a note that the team expects to contend this year. Else like in years past when a SP is needed, the team would've thrown in a young pitcher making his debut straight from AA, stunting his development. This move allows the young pitchers to continue to mature while giving the major league club some options in case of emergency.

Three years ago, we would have signed Duke off the garbage heap … and he would have started on opening day instead of (gulp!) Daniel Cabrera.That opener against the Phils that day was one of the longest days of my life.

Can we make a script for this site for when anyone types in "Daniel Cabrera" it shows up as "The Pitcher Who Shall Not Be Named"?Not sure why anyone wouldn't like this signing, it's just a minor league deal for depth. As others said it speaks to how good a rotation we have now, but I think it also speaks to how cleaned out our high-level pitching prospects are due to the Gio trade. Instead of Peacock and Milone making spot starts it's going to be trash heap vets like Duke.Not saying, just saying…

Grandstander — bet you $10,000 (Mitt Romney will cover it for me) that Zach Duke never wears a Nats uniform this season, unless he proves totally lights out and even then only as a September call-up.We have Det, Gorzy, and Stammen — you know, real pitchers — to do spot starts if needed.